Best accomplishments in orienteering:
1st place in World Military Cadet Games (2010)
1st Place in Middle Distance in Southeast European Championship (2015)
3rd place in Long Distance in Balcan Orienteering Championship (M20-2006)

Why and how did you become an orienteer? I started to study at Military High School in 2004. I was selected to the cross country running team. After several months I’ve learned that there was a sport called ORIENTEERING. Our trainer wanted us to try orienteering. After I got lost in the forest at the first individual training I had ambition to manage how to do orienteering.

You are living in Turkey. How is orienteering over there? Orienteering in Turkey is in a development. Many youngsters have started to do orienteering recently, but unfortunately we do not have enough maps all around Turkey. Thus training possibilities are limited. Due to being quite young sport there is very small number of good trainers. I think new generation will contribute to orienteering a lot.

Plans and goals for next season and beyond: Since it has been only one season I am training professionally my first aim is be good in shape until May 2016. My goal is to be qualified at middle and long distance in EOC and same for WOC2016 and 2017.

Why did you choose Ankkuri? I heard and read about Ankkuri many times before I’ve met Miika, Tomi and Emily. Luckily I had chance to discuss about possibility to run for Ankkuri while Emily was in Turkey for training camp. Warm welcoming and happy faces of Ankkuri Family didn’t give any chance for other Finnish club.

Favourite relay leg: 4th or 10th leg in 10mila and Last leg in Jukolan Viesti

Best orienteering memory: I got lost while training the first time individually. It was rainy and cold in the skirts of Mount Ida. I sat dow on a rock and tried to find my way back. I started to run towards a tractor right after I heard the engine’s sound. I thought that I have found the right road on the map. The road was continuous from one side to other on the map. I thought that the road length was only as mapped and asked to driver if the road ends somewhere ahead. But reply was: “this road is over 30km long in both directions”. After that I just sat down hopelessly for half an hour and prayed for a team member to get lost and find me. Luckily I saw one of my club mates while running and just pushed hard after him till to finish.

Favourite dish: All kind of Turkish Kebab (Turkish-Finnish Kebab is OK but not favourite :-) )

and drink: Turkish Tea

Marital status: Single

Free style or classic style? Freestyle

Greetings to your club mates: Hei! Last year I had great time in Salo and Jukola. Thanks again for that great experience in Louna-Jukola. Being a member of this family is pleasing. Toivottavasti nakemiin kohta! :)